Cancer in our country has remained at a high incidence rate, affecting not only many elderly people but also young individuals who find it hard to escape its reach. The treatment of this disease is challenging, especially when diagnosis is delayed, making treatment even more complicated. So, why are elderly people prone to cancer? And how can it be effectively prevented? Here are some key factors and prevention strategies.
The worsening environmental pollution is an undeniable factor. The increase in transportation vehicles, factories, and household appliances, coupled with the widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, has severely contaminated our living environment and food water sources, leading to the accumulation of free radicals and other toxic substances in the human body, creating a breeding ground for tumors.
Smoking is another major culprit, often referred to as the “great epidemic of the 20th century.” Research shows that smoking is closely linked to various cancers such as lung, throat, bladder, and stomach cancer. With a vast population of smokers in our country, the annual number of deaths due to smoking reaches up to one hundred thousand, and the PM2.5 generated by smoking is 26 times that of the natural environment. The harm caused by both active and passive smoking should not be underestimated. It is estimated that if the current situation is not changed, by 2025, two million people will die from smoking-related diseases, half of which will involve cancer.
Carcinogenic substances in the occupational environment are also increasingly threatening people’s health. For example, metalworkers exposed to heavy metals are prone to developing respiratory cancers; workers in the dye and chemical industries are at risk of bladder cancer.
Poor dietary habits also contribute to the risk of cancer. Although modern diets are rich, people often favor processed and refined foods, neglecting balanced nutrition, leading to an increased risk of cancer over the long term. In particular, consuming grilled and deep-fried foods frequently, as well as excessive consumption of moldy foods due to thriftiness, may introduce carcinogenic substances like aflatoxin.
In addition, viral infections are closely associated with the development of certain cancers, such as hepatitis B virus and liver cancer, and EB virus and nasopharyngeal cancer.
To prevent cancer based on the above reasons, several aspects should be considered:
– Avoid infections, like using disposable medical supplies and handling blood products carefully.
– Maintain a light and balanced diet, intake various types of food to establish a healthy dietary structure.
– Quit smoking, stay away from tobacco products, reducing the risk of cancer.
– Engage in moderate exercise, maintain an ideal body weight to prevent weight-related cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.
– Sunbathe sensibly, supplement vitamin D, but avoid intense sunlight periods and take proper sun protection measures.
In conclusion, by improving lifestyle habits, focusing on environmental protection and personal hygiene, actively adjusting living habits, the risk of cancer incidence can be significantly reduced.
